LOIS PHILLIPS
A celebration of the life of Lois Phillips and not her passing was held on March 7, 2008 at 10:00am at Riverside Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Newton officiating. Burial followed in Riverside Pioneer Cemetery.
On February 29, 2008 after eighteen years she has gone to join her husband Charlie whom she had been married to for 50 years and her daughter–in-law-Anna Mae Phillips. She leaves behind her three boys Charles and wife Karen, James and wife Merlene, and Bill and wife Karen; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; two very special people in her life Larry and Michael “Rooter” Fred Therrell; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lois was born March 9, 1919 in Gilmer, Texas. She was the baby of eleven children. She and her family came to Riverside, by covered wagon when she was five years old. At the age of eighteen Lois gave her heart to the Lord and was baptized in Harmon Creek. She was twenty when her sister introduced her to Charlie and after four dates they were married March 11, 1939 on the streets of downtown Riverside. Granny once told me that when the boys were growing up they were good boys, but when there was trouble they all got the switch not one of them would take the blame for whatever the trouble was. The boys always had good food in their bellies and holes in their blue jeans, but now he knows he was just setting the fashion trend for his granddaughters. Lois loved her boys and loved her great-grand kids and grand kids even more. She loved to fish. If Granny had a cane pole and a bucket of minnows she could sit on a river
bank and fish until she ran out of bait. She loved flowers; all kinds and colors. She would get frustrated because as she would say, this dirt is just too hard and I can’t get my flowers to grow. She loved to read western novels and work on her puzzle books. Most of all she loved spending time with her friends and she loved life. So today we celebrate her life. We celebrate all the memories that will forever be in our hearts and the stories that we can share and pass on that will keep “Aunt Lois” Granny” and “Momma” with us forever.Waller-Thornton Funeral Home

LEO IKE SYZDEK
Leo Ike Syzdek passed away on March 4, 2008. Leo was born February 24, 1925 in Bremond, Texas to Ignatius (Ike) and Rose Syzdek. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Floyd, Albin, and Albert Syzdek; and brother-in-law Tommy Hol-combe.
Leo was a graduate of Bremond High School and later received a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Houston. He proudly served his country in the Army during World War II, then in 1950 he married Mildred Melcer and they had six children. He worked for 33 years at McCullough Services and retired to become a full time cattle rancher in Groveton, Texas. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church for 51 years and a 3rd degree member of the Knights of Columbus, Council No. 2917 for over 50 years. Leo is survived by his six children Gerald Syzdek and wife Susan, Sharon Lindley and husband John, Claudia Griffin, Patricia Edwards and husband Steve, Judy Jackson and husband Randy, Joel Syzdek, Sr. and wife Patricia; thirteen grandchildren Shannon Syzdek and wife Debbie, Brandon Syzdek and wife D’Renda, Clayton Syzdek and wife Traci, James McDowell and wife Lori, Justin Cheatham and wife Kristy, Jason Williams and wife Andrea, Michael Griffin, Christopher Kozak and wife Sandra, Bradley Kozak and wife Tambra, Stephanie Kozak, Joel Syzdek, Jr., Jennifer Syzdek, Jacqueline Syzdek; seventeen great grandchildren Eric Syzdek, Kevin Syzdek, Justin Syzdek, Dougles Syzdek, Madisyn Syzdek, Samuel Syzdek, Daniel Syzdek, Joshua McDowell, Jordin McDowell, Shelby Cheatham, Riley Cheatham, Cash Cheatham, Bridget Kozak, Bronson Kozak, Brooklyn Kozak, Kaelie Kozak, Kenneth Tucker Kozak; three brothers Fred Syzdek and wife Margaret, Richard (Reese) Syzdek and wife Janda, Edmund Syzdek and wife Barbara; three sisters Margaret Syzdek, Barbara Gentry and husband Eddie, Elizabeth Holcombe; two sisters-in-law Helen Syzdek, Madeline Syzdek Najera and husband Herman.
Leo was laid to rest on March 8, 2008 at The Earthman Resthaven Cemetery after a funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Houston, Texas.
Leo’s family would like to thank the people of the Groveton area for all your thoughts and prayers.